Students stranded on rocks after sudden release of AMR dam water, rescued

Bantwal: At least five youths, belonging to an 11-member student group picnicking were trapped in the Netravathi river at  Navoor on Wednesday, October 24 owing to a sudden rise in the water-level following the opening of a gate of AMR dam.

The 11-member group who were enjoying their holiday playing in the waters here were caught unawares when the water level began to rise. While six of the students managed to swim to safety, five members of the group did not know to swim and clung on to the rocks for their life. Alerted by the screams of the students, locals rushed to the spot and managed to rescue the five students. 

It is learnt that the group had arrived in Bantwal to participate in a sports meet organised at SVS College.

Bantwal Rural police including SI Prasanna visited the spot. Meanwhile, Shambhur AMR dam authorities have clarified that they had sounded a siren before releasing water.